Knight-Wallace

Arts Journalism

Fellowship

in Partnership with the University of Michigan Arts Initiative

Anastasia Tsioulcas, Culture Correspondent for NPR, has been named the inaugural Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellow in a joint effort between the University of Michigan Arts Initiative and the Wallace House Center for Journalists.

Read more: NPR’s Anastasia Tsioulcas named U-M’s inaugural Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellow

Writing about the arts is critically important locally and nationally. Arts journalism introduces communities to culture-makers and their work, increases awareness about the role of arts and society, illuminates the importance of the arts in raising marginalized voices and experiences, and supports the critical role of arts in healthy and engaged communities. Societies benefit from creative, well-informed, wide-ranging arts coverage. Yet arts reporting and criticism is disappearing nationwide as newsrooms struggle financially in the face of continuing industry challenges.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to study and work within a diverse and experienced community of journalists and artists; audit university courses on various areas of arts practice, history, policy, business, economics, design, etc; pursue a long-form journalism project related to the arts; develop new journalism skills; and learn from and collaborate with preeminent scholars in various arts disciplines. 

“The mission of the Arts Initiative includes energizing and nurturing the arts on campus and in our state. This not only means making art happen, but it means inspiring a robust critical dialogue about creative work and its meanings—its joy, humanity, and challenges to our beliefs and understandings. The new Knight-Wallace Arts Fellow will be a catalyst of such conversations, especially for U-M students, and amplify the impact of the arts for all.”

—Mark Clague, Executive Director

  • Who is eligible?
    Journalists and critics with 5+ years of experience who cover any aspect of the arts are encouraged to apply. Coverage areas may include, but are not limited to: music, dance, theater and other performing arts, visual arts and museum culture, literature and poetry, film and new media, architecture and design.

    How is the journalist compensated?
    The Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellowship provides an $85,000 living stipend, $5,000 toward relocation expenses upon arrival, health insurance, tuition to audit courses in various departments across the University of Michigan, weekly seminars with guest speakers including journalists, scholars, and change-makers from various disciplines, regional and international travel, and collaborative work with the major University of Michigan artistic centers focused on arts presenting, as well as professional training, teaching, and research related to the arts.